Winter Issue 2022

2022 Virtual Advocacy Days Are Here!

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Current Feature Stories

2022 Virtual Advocacy Days are Here!

By Alyssa Miller, PsyD and Charlie Miller
January 9, 2022
Join advocates from across the state to learn about policies impacting people with disabilities and advocate for needed funding and legislation this year. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) needs your help to educate Georgia’s lawmakers about topics important

A Greater Sense of Independence

By Adrianne Murchison
January 9, 2022
Living Independently is an article series by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). The series will cover self-determination and self-direction. Participant self-directed services are growing in popularity as an avenue that can offer an increased autonomy for some individuals

GCDD Kicks Off New Five Year Strategic Plan

By McKenzie Wren
January 9, 2022
Starting October 1, 2021, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) kicked off its new Five Year Strategic Plan that set the goals which the Council aims to complete between 2022-2026. The federal government requires all Developmental Disabilities Councils to

GCDD Viewpoint

Eric Jacobson picture

Eric E. Jacobson
Executive Director, GCDD

Nick Perry Photograph

Nick Perry
GCDD Chairman

We Need You!

Advocacy – the Webster’s dictionary defines it as, “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” For those in the disability community, advocacy is an opportunity to support both a cause (the disability movement) and proposals (funding to

Current Topics

Advocating during the 2022 Georgia Legislative Session

By Alyssa Miller, PsyD
January 9, 2022
Welcome back to another exciting issue of Public Policy for the People! Here at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), we are getting ready for our busiest time of year, Georgia’s legislative session. The legislative session may only be

Self-Advocacy In Action – Building on Sources of Strength

By GCDD
January 9, 2022
The Uniting for Change Leadership Collective came together for a retreat in early November in North Georgia called the Power of Resilience. We worked together, about 45 of us, to build fires inside of our hearts, and our minds, and

How to Fully Fund the NOW/COMP Waivers Waiting List over the Next Five Years

By GCDD
January 9, 2022
Featuring Georgia Senator Sally Harrell The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities recently sat down with Senator Sally Harrell (D-40) to discuss Senate Bill 208 that proposes to fully fund the NOW/COMP Waivers waiting list which is currently over 7,000+. As

Inclusion is an Act of Good Faith

By Shannon Turner
January 9, 2022
“Hello, Dalia, how are you today? How do you feel today?” Hannah sings to Dalia. She begins dropping out words from the songs and waits. “I feel happy,” Dalia types out. There’s a certain kind of joy that comes with

ACL Awards Georgia-based Mentra Award for Inclusive Employment

By Jennifer Bosk
January 10, 2022
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) in Washington D.C. recently awarded its top prize of $100,000 in its “Inclusive Talent Pipeline for American Businesses” challenge to Georgia’s Mentra. Mentra is the brainchild of passionate disability advocates Jhillika Kumar and Conner

Students Thrive at Kennesaw State’s Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth

By H. M. Cauley
January 10, 2022
Jordan Winfrey, 18, grew up with his mom’s assurance that college could be in his future. But the graduate of the Omega Learning Center in Douglasville found that his diagnoses of autism and speech impediment made finding the right fit

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